Starting to watch Reign on the reccomendation of a colleague.
I don't know enough about Mary Stuart to know if anything will be entirely historically accurate. However, one thing I must start off with is that this series gets bonus points right off the bat for having a convent where little girls play and laugh, and nuns are smiling and eating outside because the weather's nice.
Fandom: Reign (2013). Pairing: BashxOc. Setting: French Royal Court. Warnings: None for this chapter. The Bastards Masterlist
Mary and her ladies stood at a merchants table in one of the barns where the harvest festival was taking place. This merchant was selling little wooden boats. “You write your regrets on this ribbon, tie them to the stern then watch as they sail away.” the merchant told them.
“What a lovely tradition.” Mary said with a smile at the man before they turned and mosied over to a table loaded with furs and crochet goods. “No, I’m sure of it.” Aylee said, making Greer, Mary and Maisie look at her and Kenna who had been whispering to one another.
“Greer, Lord Castleroy has been staring at you all morning.” Kenna said quietly across the table.
They all looked at him where he stood across the barn talking to a few men. Every once in a while he’d glance at Greer with a flirty smile on his face. “Well, don’t look.” Greer told them scoldingly, making the women smile. “He would be a great catch. His father’s a Hapsburg fourteen removed from the crown. Rumor has it he’s made a fortune in the spice trade.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Mary asked. “One foot after the other.” she encouraged and the ladies smiled as Greer went over and introduced herself.
Seeing that one lady had left the group, Bash walked over. “Come to steal Maisie away?” Mary asked with a knowing smile.
“If it’s alright with you.” Bash answered. Over the past month Bash's side had healed and he'd taken up as much of Maisie’s time as he could.
“Of course, enjoy the festival.” Mary said with a motion to Maisie.
Bash and Maisie were standing at a vendor table looking at some boats when Maisie noticed Francis hugging a blond headed woman. “Who is that?” she asked Bash with a discrete nod at Francis and the woman.
Maisie and Bash moved to stand against the wall to make room for others to shop. “Olivia D'amencourt.” Bash answered. “Her family lived at court for a time.”
“And her link to Francis is?” Maisie asked.
"I probably shouldn't say." He said in a sigh.
She looked at him and raised a brow. "I'll get it out of you one way or another."
"They were an item for a time." He answered reluctantly.
"When did their relationship end?" She asked as they watched Francis and Olivia leave the barn together.
"About a month before you all arrived." He answered and Maisie hummed. "Don't tell Mary. It will only cause trouble if you do."
"I have no intention of meddling in their relationship." Maisie replied. "What Francis tells her is on him."
"Then why did you bother asking?" He asked.
"Because I'm nosey." She shrugged. "And I will always keep an eye out for my friends.”
“Then…I should probably tell you that Kenna has been seeing my father for some time now.” he replied.
“What?” Maisie asked with a look up at him across her shoulder. “You’re joking.”
“I’m afraid not.” he sighed. “I’ve learned the signs over the years.”
Maisie frowned and looked across the room at Kenna as she let the news sink in. Then a thought struck her. “So that’s why she got mad at me the other day.” she said in realization. Bash gave her a curious look. “At the picnic for Charles and Madeline, when your father gave me that rose. Kenna thought he was flirting with me.”
“Yes, about that.” Bash started sounding agitated, “I believe that little show was more about making her jealous than welcoming you into the family prematurely. Getting women is nothing more than a game he likes to play. And when it comes to Kenna, he’s gotten what he wanted.”
“You mean they’ve-?” she asked with a raise of her brows and he nodded. “Oh Kenna…what have you gotten yourself into?” she sighed to herself. Bash wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “So all the nice things Henry said, it was all just a show to poke at Kenna?” she asked and he hummed. “Well that’s disappointing.” Maisie sighed.
“Why?” he asked with a frown.
“Because I liked the idea of having your parents' approval.” she answered. “I haven't seen your mother since I arrived. I’d hoped we could have tea and get to know one another.” she looked up at him as he took a drink from the silver cup in his hand.
“She approves.” he told her then gave her a closed lipped smile.
“How do you know?” Maisie asked.
“I just do.” he answered with a secretive looking smirk. She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously and he laughed. “Trust me.”
She let it go with a shake of her head then looked around. “Is it just me or is this festival a bit boring?” she asked and he laughed. “What?” she asked and looked up to see him looking at her, that admiring look in his baby blue eyes.
“Just wondering how I got so lucky as to find the one woman God created for me.” he answered, putting a bright smile on her face as she looked up at him. “Would you like to get out of here?”
“Yes please.” she answered as she took his hand and they headed to the door. “But we can’t stay gone too long. I’m supposed to meet Mary and the girls this afternoon to read Virgil.” Bash made a disgusted sound. “Tell me about it. I think Aylee aims to put us to sleep.”
RRRRRRRRRR
They were returning from a ride when Francis found them. Maisie noticed the frown on the prince's face. “Is something wrong?” she asked before Bash could.
“Yes, I need to speak to my brother in private for once.” Francis answered shortly.
“Anything you have to say you can say in front of Maisie.” Bash said, not liking the tone his brother took with her. He dismounted his horse to be eye level with Francis.
Francis looked at Maisie then back at Bash. “Mary found out about my past with Olivia. She wouldn’t say who told her, but I have my suspicions.” his eyes looked at Maisie.
Maisie frowned and opened her mouth to argue, but Bash beat her to it. “It wasn’t Maisie. Anyone could have told Mary about you and Olivia. It wasn't exactly the castle's best kept secret.” Bash started walking and Maisie followed on her horse. “Now if you’re done making false accusations-”
“I also have reason to believe Olivia’s carriage was attacked by pagans.” Francis interrupted. Bash stopped, giving Francis his full attention. “I recognize the words she heard from when you said them.”
“What were they even doing driving through the blood wood?” Bash asked.
“Olivia’s driver was told that the kingsroad was flooded. Which it isn’t.” Bash and Maisie just stared at him. “Bash, they’re luring people in.”
“I’ll gather some men and find her carriage.” Bash told him so Francis nodded and walked away.
Bash looked at Maisie so she dismounted. “Be safe.”
RRRRRRRRRR
Mary and her ladies sat around on three sofas arranged in a u shape in a common room while Aylee read Virgil. Queen Catherine and a few of her ladies sat at a table a few feet away talking and drinking wine. “It’s a talent, really. No matter the topic he can wind it back to pepper.” Greer interrupted Aylee to talk about Lord Castleroy. Lola, Mary, Kenna and Maisie laughed earning a dirty look from Aylee. “Sorry, sorry, go on.” Greer told her.
“Et vacant annalis-” Aylee started.
“I bring up politics…Pepper transactions are a political minefield. History? The peppercorn has a storied past.” Greer interrupted her.
“I doubt he’d wind Virgil back to pepper.” Aylee complained as she closed the book around her thumb.
“Oh, stop.” Greer argued. “We know what happens. He wanders around Troy for another 100 stanzas.”
As Maisie rolled her eyes at Aylee they landed on Olivia as she walked into the room timidly. “Shush, It’s Olivia.” Kenna said.
“She looks Mortified.” Lola added.
Queen Catherine walked over and looked down at Mary. “You and I find ourselves strangely aligned for once.” As the queen walked away others stood and left the room.
“Are people leaving?” Kenna asked.
“She dislikes Olivia more than you?” Aylee asked Mary quietly as she leaned into the group.
“Apparently.” Mary answered as she turned her eyes to Olivia who was still standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.
“Why would Olivia return here?” Lola asked.
“With the prince’s favor she could find a match.” Kenna answered. “If need be, Francis could force the issue.”
“Who would willingly take used property? Even a royal’s.” Greer asked with a frown.
“Property?” Maisie asked with a frown of her own.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Greer brushed it off.
“It sounds like there were real feelings there.” Kenna pointed out. “Should she be punished forever?”
Her stations fallen. She doesn’t belong at court.” Greer argued.
“Some could say the same of you.” Kenna snapped back.
“Because I don’t have a title. How dare you.” Greer said with a sneer.
Kenna leaned forward to say something back but Mary spoke up. “Stop, please. There’s enough ill will at court today.” Mary stood up and walked over to Olivia. “Hello, Olivia. I’m Mary.”
Olivia curtsied. “I’m honored.”
“Oh, it’s all right.” Mary held her hands out stopping her then looped her arm though hers. “Come, sit with me and my friends. I’m afraid there’s not going to be much Virgil.” The ladies scooted around on the couches making room for Olivia as she and Mary walked over. “Everybody’s too excited about the harvest festival and the beginning of the blood month. They’ve been slaughtering in the kitchens all week. Out with the old, in with the new.” Mary motioned for Olivia to take a seat so she sat next to Greer and Mary sat down next to her. “I heard that your things are still missing. Perhaps I could lend you a dress for the festival if you’d like.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
RRRRRRRRRR
Bash and Maisie stood in the infirmary, watching as Nostradamus worked on attempting to save the driver of Olivia’s carriage who Bash had found near the wreckage, strung up by his feet to be bled into a bowl. Olivia’s ladies maid hadn’t survived. “Could you hear them? Were they close?” Nostradamus asked.
“I had no sense of them.” Bash answered with a shake of his head, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Some would say you had no sense. That you defiled their faith.” Nostradamus argued.
“A faith riddled with human sacrifice. When did that start?” Bash asked.
“They’ve made blood sacrifices for centuries.” Nostradamus answered, placing a new bandage over the driver’s cut neck.
“I thought they only sacrificed animals.” Maisie spoke up.
“Not always.” Nostradamus replied. “The human sacrifice was simply more hidden, less bold.”
“I thought these murders, these bodies hanging, their true purpose was to scare people away. Civilized people from land they believed was theirs…or had claimed for hunting.” Bash said as he started pacing.
“I don’t know.” Nostradamus replied as he stood from where he’d been kneeling beside the driver. “But I do know this. You have interrupted a sacrifice, which they will not take kindly to. Stay close to the castle in the coming days. You could be in grave danger.”
Scared, Maisie grabbed Bash’s hand and he pulled her close.
RRRRRRRRRR
The next morning Maisie and Bash were at the festival, leaning against a post in the barn while chatting and people watching when Nostradamus found them. “A word?” He asked and Bash left Maisie gave him a nod.
While Bash and Nostradamus spoke, Maisie went to Mary who had been drinking wine all morning. “Mary, are you okay?”
“Yes, perfectly. Why do you ask?” she replied, but Maisie could tell something was wrong.
“You looked stressed when talking to Kenna earlier.” Maisie started. “Then the queen spoke to you, which I know is alway a nerve wracking experience, you’ve also been putting more wine in your stomach than food.” Mary sighed and looked down at the silver goblet in her hand. “May I suggest that you lay your woes on my shoulders instead of attempting to drink them away?”
Mary gave her a soft smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m okay.”
“It still stands if you change your mind.” Maisie told her then turned to see Bash waiting for her where they had been standing before. “We’ll be down by the water’s edge if you need me.” she told Mary then went to Bash and took his hand when he offered it. “What did Nostradamus have to say?” she asked as they walked out of the barn.
“The driver has died.” Bash informed her. “Before he passed he told Nostradamus that he heard the pagans talking about a bargain they struck with a creature that resides in the woods, in a dark cave somewhere that only a chosen few know of. They give it blood or it drains them of life.”
“So that’s why they're luring people in?” she asked with a worried look up at him as they neared to the water's edge.
“Seems so.” he answered as they sat down on a stone bench, facing the water. “I know you’ve promised before,” he started as he moved around to straddle the bench and face her as he grabbed her hands in his, “but it’s important, now more than ever, that you stay away from those woods.”
“I promise, I won’t go near them.” she replied then scooted forward and rested her forehead on his shoulder.
They were lost in eachother, when Mary walked over and plopped down on the bench behind Maisie. “Sorry to interrupt.” Mary said, sounding like she really didn’t mean it.
Bash and Maisie pulled back and looked at one another, Maisie giving him an apologetic look before he leaned to one side, looking at Mary over Maisie’s shoulder before he looked back at Maisie. “I think your queen is a bit…inebriated.” Bash whispered.
“Her queen can hear you and yes, I am.” Mary replied, making Maisie bite her smiling lips closed.
“I’ll give you two some space.” Bash told Maisie then pecked her on the lips, stood and walked away.
“Is he ever going to pop the question?” Mary asked, a bit of a slur to her words.
“I’m sure he will when the time is right, but neither of us want to rush into anything.” Maisie answered and she turned to sit on the bench the right way instead of straddling it. “You didn’t come out here to ask about me and Bash. Come on,” Maisie gave her a come-at-me motion with her hands. “Get it off your chest. What’s wrong?”
“Did you know Kenna is having an affair with the king?” Mary asked.
“Before I answer that, let me take this off your hands.” Maisie answered as she gently took the silver goblet out of Mary’s hand then drank what little was left and sat the empty cup on the bench between them. “I do know, but I only found out yesterday when Bash told me. Kenna doesn’t know that I know.”
“How could she be so foolish?” Mary asked.
“I’m a firm believer that we don’t have full control of our hearts. Besides, some might call me foolish for having feelings for the king's bastard." She rolled her eyes. "God I hate that word.” she added under her breath.
“Yes, why do you hate that word?” Mary asked.
“I’ll explain when you’re in your right mind. Until then why don’t we talk about you?” she asked. “Kenna’s affair can’t be what drove you to over indulge in drink.”
“It’s Francis…" she sighed. "I asked him to send Olivia away and he assured me he would, but then I found out that her belongings have been recovered and she’s moving into the east wing. Not only that, but something happened between them." She grabbed the cup and looked in it, only to remember that Maisie drank it, then clumsily put it down. "We had an argument and he threatened to take Olivia as his mistress.”
“Mary, I’m so sorry.” Maisie comforted as she placed her hand on Mary’s arm.
“It…was so foolish of me to think that we could ever be just a boy and just a girl.” Mary started rambling. “I mean, that implies that one is free to leave if one is unhappy and while I am stuck here with no recourse he’s free to do whatever he wants with whoever he wants. What do you think, am I overreacting?”
“I think I can only see your side of the story. And while I empathize with you I also know that you can be hot headed and impulsive, which was probably magnified by the wine you've been drinking all morning. Also, what was the queen talking to you about? Could she have said anything to you that put you in a bad mindset? You know she's manipulative and doesn't want you to be with Francis."
"I don't know." She sighed, letting her shoulders fall as she grabbed the cup and started fiddling with it. "What would you do if you were me? As far as I can tell you and Bash never fight like this."
"Well, Bash and I aren't royals." Maisie pointed out. "But, if I were you I’d go get something in my stomach, sober up and try the conversation again. It’s easy for words we don’t mean to slip out of our mouths in heated moments.” Maisie saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to see Francis walking over. “Excuse me for a moment.”
"A word?" she asked, getting his attention. He stopped and motioned for her to speak. "I don't know why you would think that I'd tell Mary about your past with Olivia, but I want you to know that I'll never try to jeopardize your relationship with her." She started, squinting at him in the sunlight.
"No, I know you wouldn't." Francis replied. "I was upset and for some reason I took it out on you even though I know how much you care about Mary's happiness. I apologize for my behavior."
"I care about your happiness as well." She added. "Which is why I'm going to warn you that she is two sheets to the wind right now." He sighed and dropped his eyes to the ground. "She asked for my advice and I told her it would be best to talk to you when she has a clear head. But obviously what happens next is up to you."
He thought about it for a moment, staring at Mary's back. "Would you take her inside and send word when she's feeling better?"
"Of course." She answered with a nod. "Would you mind telling Bash where I'm going?"
"Not at all." He answered with a nod.
Maisie brought Mary inside, and watched over her. When she sobered up she sent word to Francis then left them to work things out.
That evening Mary found her and thanked her for her care and advice. She and Francis worked things out. Olivia would be staying at court while Francis tried to find a suitable match for her. Maisie understood Francis's need to ensure Olivia's happiness, but she feared that Olivia wouldn't make it easy and would still put unneeded stress on Francis and Mary's relationship.
RRRRRRRRRR
A few mornings later Maisie woke to find a necklace placed on a pillow on the empty side of her bed. Curious, she picked it up by the leather string. The one inch wide pendant looked like a twig in the shape of a stag's head. There was only one person she could think of that would have put it there and that was Bash, but he knew her taste in jewelry. And while her tastes were simple, a wooden pendant on a leather string was a little too simple. Something about it just didn’t feel right.
So after getting dressed in a flowy light green dress and putting on a darker green winter cloak trimmed with fur to shield her from the cool, mid september morning air, she grabbed the necklace off her bed. Looking at it again she decided against wearing it around her neck and instead looped the sting around her wrist several times then pulled the strings tightening it so that the pendant rested on the back of her hand.
She and her friends walked beside the road, lined with trees that lead to where the king would be arriving, Mary walked ahead of them. “You look especially lovely, Kenna.” Greer said with a look across her shoulder at Kenna. “Who are you dressed to impress?”
“No one, I just…” Kenna attempted to answer.
“Can’t Kenna look lovely simply because she is lovely?” Mary asked as she turned and held out her hand for Kenna. “And you are lovely.” she assured her as Kenna took her hand and walked beside her.
When they came to where everyone was lining up, Maisie spotted Bash and walked over to him. “Good morning.” he greeted with a closed lipped smile.
“Morning.” she greeted as she touched his arm stopping him from joining the others just yet.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, seeing her frown.
“I’ve had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach all morning.” she started. “Mainly because I found this on my pillow when I woke and something tells me it’s not from you.” she held her hand out, showing him the pendant. When she lifted her eyes to his face, gauging his reaction, she noticed how tense he was. “I was right, it’s not from you. Is it?”
“No, but I have seen it before.” he answered and she gave him a look that told him to tell her more. “I didn't tell you because I didn't want to frighten you. But, the butcher boy that committed suicied a few days back, he threw himself from my balcony after warning me that because I interrupted too many of their sacrifices, I must choose someone to sacrifice or they would choose for me. This necklace, or one just like it, was around his neck.”
Maisies eyes grew wide with worry. “So a pagan snuck into my room last night?” she asked and he nodded. "Does this necklace mean they've chosen me as your sacrifice?"
Bash cupped her cheek in his hand. “I believe so, yes, but I won’t let them hurt you.” he dropped his hand as she nodded, then grabbed hers and headed over to Francis, but before they could get his attention the king’s arrival cut them off.
Maisie watched as King Henry exited the carriage and Kenna took a few steps toward him, only to stop when she saw Diane exit after him. Mary grabbed her hand and pulled her back to stand with them.
When the crowd started to disperse Bash grabbed Francis’s arm then jerked his head for him to follow him over to Mary. “Mary, Francis, we need to talk.” Francis and Mary gave him curious looks. “In private. It’s important.”
RRRRRRRRRR
The four of them stood in a private area of the castle. “The people of this…faith. They claim that I owe them a debt. More than once in their minds I’ve interrupted their blood sacrifice. The butcher boy said that if I didn’t choose someone else to sacrifice they’d choose for me.”
“So that’s what’s been going on in the woods, Pagan sacrifice?” Mary asked.
“Among other dangers, yes.” Bash answered.
“And now they’ve chosen Maisie.” Mary said with a worried look at Maisie then at Bash.
“Because they know that threatening her is a good way to get to Bash.” Francis told Mary then looked at Bash. “Anyone with eyes can see how much she means to you.”
“We need to find out who left this marker in her chambers.” Bash said as Maisie held out her hand, showing them the necklace.
“Maybe the servants saw how the necklace got into her room. If you give me the necklace, I’ll question them.” Mary said so Maisie took the necklace off her wrist and handed it to Mary. she took it and headed off to do as she said.
Bash looked at Francis. “I worry about her safety.”
Francis looked at Maisie. “I’ll make sure there’s a guard outside your room at all times.” she gave him an appreciative nod. “Meanwhile you need to find out the severity of the threat.” he told Bash. “Ask the hunters that you know in the woods. Talk to the guards, Nostradamus, anyone.” Bash gave him a nod and he walked away.
Bash walked Maisie to her room, stopping before she went inside. “I am so sorry. If I knew cutting the bodies down would put you in danger I never would have done it.”
“You did nothing wrong.” Maisie assured him as she reached up and rested her hand on the side of his neck. “I don’t blame you. I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine as long as you stay here, under guard. Don’t open the door for anyone but Mary, Francis or me.” he told her as he cupped her cheek in his hand and she nodded. “Promise me.”
“I promise.” she answered then took his hand off her face and kissed his palm. “As long as you promise to stay safe.”
“I will.” he responded as he saw a guard walking over to them. He opened her door and motioned for her to go inside. As he closed it, the guard stepped in front of it, blocking anyone who’d try to enter.
RRRRRRRRRR
Night had fallen by the time her door opened and her guard told her Bash was waiting for her out in the hall. She peeked around the door to see that Bash really was waiting for her so she stepped out. Bash motioned for the guard to give them space before he took her hands into his. “I haven’t found any new information. It’s all straightforward really. I must choose someone and sacrifice them in the bloodwood in order to pay the debt.”
“You have to sacrifice them?” Maisie asked with wide eyes. “You can’t just take a horrible person who doesn’t deserve to live from the jails and dump them in the woods for the bloodthirsty pagen’s to kill themselves?” Bash gave her a questioning look. “I’ve had all day to think.” she shrugged.
“The prisoners are a good idea, but no, I have to perform the sacrifice myself.” he answered.
“Bash…I know you. This is different from fighting on the battlefield. You can’t murder someone in cold blood.” she told him in hushed tones.
“I can,” he argued, “to save you.”
“And in saving me you will kill a part of yourself…a part of your humanity. I can’t ask you to do that.” she argued back.
“You’re not asking me to. They are.” he rebutted. Maisie took in a deep breath and gave him a pointed look as she let it out. “I’m having dinner brought up for you and your guard, let them in then no one else.” she simply gave him a nod. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist as she tucked her face into his chest and he rested his cheek on her head. After a moment he placed a kiss to her hair and pulled back. “Try to get some sleep.” she gave him a weak smile and a nod then went back into her room. Bash didn’t leave until the guard was back in place.
RRRRRRRRRR
The next morning the feel of something cold and wet dripping on Maisie’s stomach, covered only by her white silk nightgown, pulled her from a deep sleep. Feeling heavy headed she touched her stomach then looked at her fingers to see red, slightly sticky liquid. As her eyes focused they landed on the head of a stag, blood dripped from its open mouth, landing on her stomach. It took a moment for it to register, but when it did the scream that left her mouth was loud enough for the whole castle to hear.
When she regained control of her body she rolled out of bed, landing hard on her rear then scrambled away from the sight until her back hit the wall. The light shining in through the window above her head illuminated the horrid sight.
Greer, Aylee and Lola rushed into her room. “Maisie, what-” Lola started to ask but was cut off at the sight of the massive head hanging from the frame of the canopy bed in the room.
“Good Lord.” Greer gasped then looked at Aylee, “Go get Mary.”
Lola went to Maisie and kneeled down beside her. “Are you alright?” All Maisie could do was shake her head no. Lola looked up at Greer. “I think she’s in shock.”
“Bash.” Maisie whispered, Lola and Greer looked at her and she looked at Lola. “I need Bash.” Lola looked up at Greer who nodded and left the room.
“Can you stand?” Lola asked and Maisie nodded so Lola helped her then grabbed a long silk robe and helped her put it on. “What is the meaning of this?” Lola asked with a motion to the bed. Maisie didn't answer so Lola didn’t press further.
Eventually Greer returned with Bash who upon seeing Maisie, her hair a mess and blood on her robe that had soaked through from her nightgown, rushed over. "Are you alright?" He asked as he looked at her stomach.
“It’s not my blood.” she answered flatly. “It’s the stags.”
Bash wrapped her in his arms. Tears she’d been holding back now soaked into his shirt where her face was pressed into his chest. He looked around, noticing the head hanging over the bed for the first time. “How could you have slept through this?” Bash asked as he grabbed her face and dipped down to look at her eyes. “Your pupils are dilated. How do you feel?”
“Like I could easily go back to sleep.” she answered, and Bash noticed her fighting to keep her eyes open. “You’ve been drugged.”
Maisie let her eyelids win for a moment as she pressed her palm to her head. “I need to sit down.”
Bash helped her sit on a padded bench seat in her room then kneeled down infront of her and grabbed her hand from her head, looking at the back of it. “The pendent, it burned you.” he said. She looked down and noticed a raised, red stag's head burned into the skin on the back of her hand.
Mary and Francis walked in, seeing servants removing the head from over her bed. Mary rushed to Maisie as Bash went to his brother. “How did this happen, where was your guard?” Mary asked as she sat down beside her on the bench and grabbed her hand.
“I don’t know, Bash thinks I was drugged.” Maisie answered, swiping her hair out of her face.
“Good Lord! What is that?” they heard Catherine out in the hallway headed their way, probably seeing servants carrying the head away. The servants who’d just finished stripping the soiled sheets from Maisie’s bed curtsied to Catherine before they left the room. Catherine looked at the bed then at Maisie and Mary. “How could this have happened?”
Maisie flinched from Catherine’s tone, Mary grabbed her hand and looked at Catherine. “You’ve had someone sneak into my room before. Why don’t you tell us how it’s done?”
“Are you accusing me of this?” Catherine demanded as she squared her shoulders at Mary.
“We’re not accusing you of any involvement, Mother.” Francis said as he came into the room, Bash remained out in the hall, knowing Catherine wouldn’t approve of his presence.
“Does that mean you know who’s done this?” Catherine asked.
“Right now we’re less concerned about who than how.” Francis answered.
“They’d have to have drugged her.” Catherine said as she walked over and grabbed the goblet of wine off the dining table in the room. She sniffed it then made a face. “This is poppy.” she told them then sat the cup down. “I suspect her guard was given the same thing. Where is he?”
“The infirmary.” Francis answered. “Severe stomach pain.”
“That means he drank too much of it.” Catherine replied then looked at the bed before turning her eyes to Maisie, “A stag's head? What message is that meant to convey?” she asked with a motion at the bed.
Mary and Francis looked at each other before Mary spoke up. “It’s a symbol. Of the pagans.”
“What do any of you know about pagans?” Catherine asked.
“Only what everyone knows. That they’re becoming bolder, more ruthless and thirsty for blood.” Francis answered. “Seems the more fear they spread, the more power they gain.”
“These devils have come inside our walls. Inside my home.” Catherine said as she turned her eyes to Maisie’s bed.
“These heretics worked together to threaten us. Now we must work together to stop them.” Mary told her. Catherine just looked at all of them then left.
“Is she going to blame me…or Bash?” Maisie asked Francis.
“I don’t know, but I won’t let her harm you, or my brother.” Francis answered as Bash came into the room.
“We need to get you to the infirmary.” Bash said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
“What I need is a bath and sleep.” Maisie argued.
“I’ll get the servants to draw you a bath.” Mary told her so Maisie nodded. She and Francis left, giving her and Bash a moment.
Bash looked at her, regret clear in his blue eyes. “Don’t say it.” she told him and he blinked at her. “I’m okay.”
“No, you're not, but you will be.” he replied and Maise saw something in his eyes change.
“What are you going to do?” she asked, scared.
“I’m going to the jails. I can’t let them continue to torture you because of my mistakes.” he answered, dertimination clear in his tone as he stood. She grabbed his hand, stopping him. “You can’t talk me out of it.”
“I was just going to remind you that I love you, no matter what.” Bash gave her a bitter sweet smile with a blink before he left.
After her bath, Maisie laid in bed, fighting sleep while Nostradamus examined her per Bash’s insistence. “Once you get some sleep you will be just fine. Poppy has no lasting effects.” he wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know.
“Can I ask you something that’s not about my health?” she asked and Nostradamus gave her an unsure nod. “You said I would lose my love. You did mean Bash, right?”
“Do you have another love?” Nostradamus asked, a little amused.
“No, but I don't know how far in the future your vision took place. People fall out of love all the time." She explained. "I need to know exactly what you saw, not knowing is driving me mad.”
“My vision was the near future, as you don’t look any older than you do now. However, that is only an estimate. Some women age gracefully.” Nostradamus answered and Maisie sat up straighter in the bed, happy he was finally answering her questions. “I see you, tears of anger on your face. You strike someone, I can’t see who. You say that Bash was yours, that this person has taken him from you. You don’t say how.” Maisie frowned down at her hands, thinking about what he’d said. “Is that enough to keep you sane?”
“Not nearly, but if it’s all you can offer then it will have to do.” she replied then looked up at him. “Thank you for sharing your vision with me.” he gave her a nod then left her, letting her drift off to sleep.
RRRRRRRRRR
While Maisie slept off the effects of the poppy, Mary and Catherine called all the servants into the throne room and asked them to come forward with information. Catherine threatened to burn their family’s houses to the ground if no one came forward by midnight. Bash went to the jails, took a thief and brought him out to the blood wood.
By the time Maisie had woken, night had fallen. She dressed then followed the voices of her friends and the sound of fireworks out onto the balcony their rooms shared. “You’re awake.” Greer greeted as Maisie joined her, looking out of an open window.
“Where’s Mary?” Maisie asked.
“I don’t know. Last I saw her she was questioning the staff with the queen.” Lola answered. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Who’d want to miss this?”
“I suppose the king wants our mind off our troubles.” Aylee said as she crossed her arms over the half wall.
“I wish I could get my mind off him.” Kenna said, making the ladies look at her where she sat on a bench seat against the castel wall.
“Kenna’s the king's official mistress.” Greer informed Maisie.
“I knew they were…involved, but,” Maisie looked at Kenna, “when did you become his mistress?”
“Today.” Kenna answered. “You knew about us?”
“Bash told me.” Maisie answered.
“And you didn’t tell us?” Aylee asked.
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” Maisie shrugged.
“Where’s the king now?” Lola asked.
“He said I mustn't miss the fireworks.” Kenna answered. “Of course he wouldn't say why he couldn’t join me. Is he trying to get rid of me so he can have a moment alone with Diane? Is there another mistress he’s courting? God knows I've been trying his patience lately.”
“Kenna shut up!” Lola snapped.
“I’m sorry. God, no wonder you can’t stand me anymore.” Kenna said.
“No, shut up and look.” Lola said with a point out of the window.
Kenna went to the window and they all turned their eyes outside to see Kenna’s name written out in candle light. With a giddy smile on her face she ran off, headed to the kings, now her chambers.
“If Kenna is the king's official mistress, what is to happen to Diane?” Maisie asked the other girls.
“Kenna said she is staying in the castle until her cottage on the grounds is renovated.” Greer answered.
“Why do you ask?” Aylee asked.
“She’s Bash’s mother. It can’t be easy on him to see her displaced.” Maisie answered.
“It’s probably not the first time.” Aylee replied.
“But hopefully it’s the last.” Lola said with a pointed look at Aylee.
RRRRRRRRRR
“Maisie and Mary were in Mary’s chambers waiting to hear from Bash. Mary sat on a bench in front of the fire as Maisie stoked the flames out of need to stay busy. “Has Sebastian returned?” Mary asked her ladies maid, Sarah, who stood beside Maisie's maid, Genevieve.
“Not yet.” Sarah answered.
“And you told his servant to bring word immediately?” Mary asked.
“I did.” Sarah answered. “Milady, you need to rest, both of you.” she said.
Maisie looked down at the burn on her hand. “I’m not sleepy and I won’t sleep until I hear that Bash is back and safe.” she told Mary. “But I can leave if you’d like to sleep.”
“No, I’m not leaving you alone. Not after learning that Catherine’s guard was responsible for the stag’s head in your room.” Mary argued. “I won’t let you out of my sight until Bash returns.”
Maisie gave her a nod and sat down beside her on the bench. Genevieve walked over and held her hand out for the fire poker. “May I return that for you?” Maisie saw a burned spot on the side of her palm that very closely matched hers.
“Mary.” Maisie said as she grabbed Genevieve’s wrist and showed her hand to Mary.
“It’s burned.” Mary gasped as she stood and pulled Maisie close. “You said you’d never seen the necklace, but you’re the one that put it on her pillow aren’t you?” Mary spoke fast out of fear.
Maisie pushed Mary to stand behind her and pointed the fire poker at Genevieve. “Guards!” Maisie yelled.
“Don’t bother.” Sara spoke up as she walked over. “If the king’s bastard fails again to pay his debt he’ll need to learn.”
“How many of you are there?” Mary asked from behind Maisie.
“Enough.” Genevieve answered.
“Sarah, you’ll burn for this, both of you.” Mary said right before the guards burst in and captured the two girls. As soon as they were out of the room and the door closed, Maisie and Mary sank down on the padded bench seat, both of them letting out a sigh of relief.
Sometime during the night Mary fell asleep, waiting for Bash to return, but Maisie couldn't, and wouldn't, sleep.
RRRRRRRRRR
The next morning Mary and Maisie were assigned new guards and ladies maids who they were assured were not pagans. After more hours of waiting for word Maisie was finally told by her new maid that Bash had arrived and asked her to meet him down by the water's edge where she'd once picnicked with Mary and her friends.
As she left the castle she quickly spotted him down by the lake, staring out over the water. "Bash." She said getting his attention as she walked up behind him and touched his shoulder, making him turn toward her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He answered as he caught her hand that she was about to use to touch his cheek. She frowned at the action. "Physically."
She looked down at their hands. "You went through with it, didn't you?"
"You were right. Killing a man in cold blood is different from killing a man in battle." He answered quietly. "And I've killed two." Maisie looked up from their hands, worry clear in her eyes. "One a zealot of the faith, the other an innocent."
"I don't understand." She said with a shake of her head.
"I took a man from the jails as you suggested, but I had no intention of killing him." Bash started explaining as he jerked his head for her to walk with him. "I only meant to use the prisoner to draw out a pagan. It worked and when I asked if any human life would pay my debt, the man said yes. So I sacrificed the pagan."
"So why did you kill the prisoner?" Maisie asked, her stomach aching with dread.
"He overheard the pagan talking about my mother's faith. What they believe should be my true faith." He answered. "The prisoner knew who my mother and I were."
"So you killed him to keep your secret safe." Maisie sighed.
"My past, my mother's original faith, has and will always put you in danger." He said as they stopped. "I'll understand if you no longer feel safe with me. Or if loving me is too dangerous."
"Bash." She sighed as she moved to stand in front of him, taking both of his hands into hers. "I see the fact that you killed to keep me safe as…a double edged sword. Just as comforting as it is frightening." She let go of his hands and placed hers on each side of his neck. "And I won't let fear keep me from loving you. Especially since I find the fact that I would fight and kill in order to do the same for you just as frightening. I can't fight and would probably lose my life in trying, but I'd try nonetheless."
"You're saying you'd die to protect me?" He asked, a little amused.
"It's a bit…dynamically reversed, for lack of a better term, but yes. I would." She answered and he grabbed her hand as they started walking again.
"Then perhaps I should teach you to fight." He offered.
"Really fight? As in hand to hand combat?" She asked, a little surprised, though she shouldn't have been.
"Yes. As much as I'd like to be, I won't always be around to protect you and you need to know more than a simple punch." He replied, completely serious. "Basic self defense maneuvers paired with strategic punches can do more than you might imagine. Especially considering no one will expect it from a woman, much less a titled lady."
"Okay. Teach me to fight." She agreed.
"Well, I can't teach you out in the open where anyone can see." He said with a nod to the people walking around closer to the castle. "We'll go for a ride in the morning and stop where we had our first kiss. I'll teach you there. What I can teach you right now is that the easiest way to take down a man, should your skirts allow, is to knee him between the legs."
"That sounds far easier than a punch. Why didn't you teach me that one when we were kids?" Maisie asked as they headed to the castle.
"Honestly I was afraid I'd make you mad and you'd use it against me. I'd rather take the punch." She rolled her eyes and gave him a pointed look. "Do you not remember how I'd agitated you at times just to see the cute face you'd make."
Maisie laughed. "I remember. You'd tug on my braid or untie my sash. Or the more annoying one, stealing something from me and running with it."
Bash chuckled. "Perhaps that one was a little unfair considering my legs were always longer than yours."
"It got a little less annoying after Kenna told me you were flirting with me." She replied. "A little being the key words in that sentence. Don't get any ideas."
"What, scared you can't keep up?" Bash asked challengingly.
"Not in these shoes I can't." She answered.
"Excuses, excuses." He sighed jokingly.
She looked across her shoulder at him with narrowed eyes. "Do you want me to punch you? Because I will." Bash just laughed.
RRRRRRRRRR
Their mood was once again lowered as they watched Catherine's guard, and the two ladies maids be placed on and bound to pyres. "You shouldn't watch this." Bash told her where he stood beside her on a balcony that overlooked the public burning.
"These people marked me for death and tortured us." She argued with a look at him across her shoulder. "I need to watch them burn and pay for what they have done." Bash placed his hand on the small of her back comfortingly. "Then, when the screams stop, I'll need you to push it all to the furthest reaches of my mind."
"And how do you expect me to do that?" He asked with a knowing look. She just blushed and glanced down at his lips, making him smile. When the fires were lit their smiles fell and soon the screams of three people filled the air. After a moment one of the screams was silenced by an arrow. Not long after the other two faded and only the sound of the flames remained. "Satisfied?" Bash asked as he closed the windows of the balcony then turned toward her.
"Not as much as I thought I'd be. But the screams have stopped and I still need your help." She answered as she grabbed the strings at the neck of his thin brown shirt and pulled them. He smirked when she hooked her finger into the open v and tugged. He closed the space between them, wrapping his arms around her waist as he caught her top lip between his. They both instantly relaxed from the sensation as a sigh left her lips and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
He had worked his way to her neck, placing noisy wet kisses over the sensitive skin while cupping her cheek in his perfect hand when, "Don't stop on my behalf." jerked them back down to reality.
"Mother." Bash greeted as he turned from Maisie who kept her eyes downcast while her face burned bright red.
"No greeting from my future daughter-in-law?" Diane asked and Maisie could only manage to look up. "Oh you needn't be embarrassed. I take your attraction to my son as a good thing. It assures me that I'll have grandchildren someday soon."
"Mother." Bash scolded.
"After the wedding obviously." She defended then looked at Maisie. "Take a walk with me?"
Maisie looked up at Bash who gave her a smirk then back at Diane. "Sure."
Diane waited until they were out of earshot of Bash. "I wanted to thank you." She said.
"Thank me, whatever for?" Maisie asked.
"For giving Bash a chance. I know his reputation at court isn't the best. My biggest fear was that when you returned you'd hear of his reputation and decide you couldn't risk it. That, or you would return to court already wed. Both scenarios would have crushed him." She explained as they turned a corner in the castle halls.
"Well, his past was a concern, but he was open about it from day one. So I took his honesty as a good sign." Maisie explained. "And I never once considered marrying another."
"I'm so pleased you remain devoted to my son." Diane said and she was opening her mouth to say more when Kenna rounded the corner a few feet ahead of them.
"Maisie." Kenna said as she stopped at the sight of her friend walking alongside the woman she'd recently displaced. "What are you doing?"
"Having a chat with the woman I hope to one day call family." Maisie answered with a pointed look. Kenna frowned and opened her mouth to speak, but Maisie cut her off, "we'll discuss this later?"
"Yes, of course." Kenna replied then carried on her way.
"I am so sorry about Kenna." Maisie apologized.
"Oh don't fret it. I can only imagine the awkward position this puts you in." Diane responded. "Just know I don't blame you for the actions of your friends." Maisie gave her a soft thankful smile. "That's something else I want to thank you for. The day you arrived your friends judged me, gave me dirty looks, but you smiled warmly. I stopped letting dirty looks bother me a long time ago, but kindness, like the smile you gave me, matters more than you know."
"I didn't know if you noticed that." Maisie said out loud.
"I did, Henry did as well." She assured her. "He has a soft spot for you."
Maisie's eyes went wide. "Why?"
"Because you're in love with his favorite son and you're kind." Diane answered. "Bash was okay while you were gone, but Henry and I have both noticed a change in him since your return. There's a new energy about him, he's truly happy with you at his side." Maisie just smiled. "So, don't let him wait forever to ask for your hand. He's waited a long time to do so and he may need a push to get him past the nerves of anticipation."
Maisie laughed nervously, "I'll bear that in mind."
The two women had tea in the common room then both turned in for the night.
Note: If you want to be added to the tag list for this story just let me know. Also likes, reblogs and comments are highly appreciated.
Fandom: Reign (2013) Pairing: Sebastian (Bash) x Oc. Setting: French Royal Court. Warnings: None The Bastards Masterlist
The BastardsCh. 1
"The Bastards gotta stick together, right?" Ten year old Liam Hayes taunted his seven year old sister Maisie where she stood next to King Henry's bastard son, Sebastian.
"I'm not a bastard!" Maisie yelled, stomping her little foot into the snow with her gloved hands on her hips.
"Yeah ya are." Her other brother Jack, two years older than her, argued.
"Am not!" Maisie yelled back. Her face red with anger.
"Are so! Why do you think you have red hair and brown eyes when Momma and papa have blond hair and blue eyes like us?" Liam asked with an attitude.
"Let's go play." Sebastian, three years older than her, grabbed her hand and started pulling her away from her brothers.
"Gladly." Maisie grumbled and followed after Sebastian while the two boys behind them chanted, "Bastards stick together, bastards sick together."
RRRRRRRRRR
The carriage hit a hole in the king's road, jerking Maisie awake. "Have a good nap?" Greer asked her from where she sat on the opposite bench.
"I've had better." Maisie answered, stretching her neck. "Do we know how much longer it'll be?"
Kenna, who was sitting beside Greer, looked out the window. "We're here."
Maisie was the last one out of the carriage and as she was stretching her legs when a second carriage pulled up in front of the French court from the opposite direction as the one that had contained the five eighteen year old girls who were Queen Mary's ladies in waiting. "There's Mary." Aylee, the more shy of the five girls, said excitedly as Queen Mary stepped out of the black and gold carriage, her eyes instantly finding her ladies making a smile stretch over her pretty face as she walked over to them. The five girls curtsied before Mary embraced them in a could of giggles.
“We missed you so much.” Kenna said as they all pulled away and looked at their friend.
“Oh, Kenna, Maisie, Greer…I’m so happy to see you.” Mary told them, holding Kenna and Aylee’s hands as they were closest to her in the circle they’d formed. “Lola, Aylee…we’re all together again.”
At the sound of scuffling feet they all turned to see that people had lined up on each side of the sidewalk leading to the castle’s main door. “Mary, you’re hair. Didn’t the nuns teach you anything?” Greer asked as she hastily attempted to fix Mary’s windblown, slightly frizzy hair before the royal family could see her like that.
Mary, however, was more interested in the trunks that were getting taken from the carriage that contained the ladies' things. “Oh, Greer, those can't all be clothes.” Mary said noticing most of the trunks bore Greer's family crest.
“There’s jewelry and silver too. Making up in volume for what I lack in station I suppose.” Greer replied, making them all giggle.
Horns were blown, drawing everyone's attention to the castle. “Here they come.” Kenna said, clearly eager to see the king, queen and Mary’s betrothed.
“His royal highness King Henry the second!” someone announced as the horns continued to play.
“Well, that’s King Henry, but…is that Catherine?” Mary asked, taking a step away from where she’d stood in a line with her ladies.
“No, they’re still waiting on her.” Kenna answered. “That’s Diane De Poitiers, his mistress.”
“So the rumors are true.” Aylee said with a bit of a judging look at Diane. Maisie however, didn't look down on Diane and instead gave the woman a small smile, unsure if she'd remember her.
“Unlike her you’ll have no trouble finding husbands here.” Lola added.
“Oh we’ll certainly enjoy the hunt.” Kenna said with a look at Greer, Aylee and Maisie then looked at Lola. “What about you?” Lola gave her a flat look, making Kenna roll her eyes. “Eh, don’t tell me. It’s about that boy from Aberdeen.” Kenna sing songed the last word mockingly.
“Colin said he’d wait for me.” Lola told her, a little upset by Kenna’s prodding.
“Till when? We might never be back on Scottish soil. Not if it all works out and Mary reigns here.” Greer pointed out.
“What do you mean if?” Aylee asked.
“Make no mistake. We’re here now to get our young queen in the game.” They all looked at Greer with frowns. “Alliances can shift. Before they do, Mary needs to win the prince's heart.”
Kenna rushed to Mary's side excitedly. “Is that Francis? He’s gorgeous.”
Maisie looked up to see a dark haired, light blue eyed man who was, as Kenna just said, very gorgeous.
“No, that’s not Francis. I know it isn’t.” Mary answered, sounding very sure of herself.
“That’s Sebastian.” Maisie replied as she moved to stand beside Kenna.
“Diane’s son. I hear the king favors him.” Kenna added.
Maisie watched as Sebastian walked around the king and his mother to stand behind them. More horns were blown as queen Catherine was announced and walked to stand slightly in front of Diane. Not long after, a blond-haired, pale skinned, clearly royal man, avoided the sidewalk altogether and moved to stand across from Mary. After he bowed to her the two young royals engaged in an amusing greeting that made the ladies giggle at their queen before they started down the path into the castle.
RRRRRRRRRR
Mary's ladies stood in a room with a stuffy woman dressed in black. “You have returned to the court at your own queens bidding. As nobile ladys you must counsel her. Prepare her, account for her. For the princess Elizabeth's wedding, as with any event, you must acquaint yourselves and Mary with all visiting royal and dignitaries. Who amongst you is fluent in italian?”
They all just looked at one another before their eyes settled on Aylee. “I suppose I am.” she spoke up though it sounded more like a question.
“You will sit next to the pope’s cousin.” the stiff woman answered before she took in a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “He has no teeth and speaks very quickly.” The other girls giggled, Maisie only cracked a smile and smacked Kenna on the arm faining disapproval.
RRRRRRRRRR
Now in Mary's chambers the girls played around with makeup, jewelry and dresses. "Maisie, try this one." Lola said as she held up a lavender gown with silver beading on the satin corseted bodice and a flowing skirt of tulle. "It'll go good with your hair." Maisie took the dress, iffy about the tight corseted top. She usually opted for more loose fitting dresses for fear of being too much attention to herself.
After putting it on and letting Kenna lace up the back she looked at herself in the full length mirror. Most women would kill for Maisie's hourglass waist, but she hated it. "Where have you been hiding that waist?" Kenna asked as she took a step back. Maisie blushed as she picked up a purple beaded headband.
"Away from the eyes of the boys back home hoping to snag a wife." Maisie answered as she put the headband on.
"Are you saying you don't want a husband?" Mary asked where she sat at a dressing mirror applying kohl to her eyelids.
"I'm saying I didn't want a Scottish husband. We've all known since we were children that we would return to France eventually. It was just a matter of when and..." Maisie paused debating if she wanted to tell them the truth.
"And what?" Mary asked.
"Okay…I know this is going to sound silly but when we lived here as children, I promised my heart to a boy. I'm hoping to find him." she answered as she tied the band behind her head then adjusted the lock of hair to the left of her face that was always braided with silver beads intertwined into it.
"It's been nine years. Don't you worry he's forgotten you?" Aylee asked.
"Yes, that is a concern, I’m sure he will remember me just as I remember him." Maisie shrugged.
"Are all these gowns really from Paris?" Greer asked, changing the subject as she finished putting on a dress with a green boddes and cream satin skirt.
"Yes, every single one." Aylee answered where she was trying a gold beaded belt around the waist of her soft pink dress.
"If Collin could see me now he'd marry me in a second." Lola said as she twirled in her cream dress with green beading. "I look of age now. We all do."
"You know what I'd like to do?" Aylee asked and they all looked at her. "Explore. We haven't been here since we were children. Surely the castle has changed. Who's with me?"
"I am." Lola answered.
"Go, I'll catch up. There's something I want to see." Marry told her ladies as they all rushed out the door.
RRRRRRRRRR
At the wedding reception Maisie was standing with Aylee and Mary when Colin, who had decided he couldn’t wait to be with Lola and came to be with her, walked up and offered Mary a glass of wine. “Your grace, beautiful evening is it not?” he asked as she took the glass from him. When he kneeled and kissed Mary’s hand Maisie's eyes found Lola, watching from a few feet away, a hurt look in her eyes.
As soon as Collin walked away Mary noticed she’d accidently hurt Lola. “Maisie, I want to go dance.” Mary told her as she took her hand.
“It’s improper to dance alone.” Maisie argued, but she didn’t let go.
“I won’t be alone.” Mary argued and Maisie looked at Aylee for help.
She received none and Mary only released her hold on Maisie's hand to grab Lola's. “Lola come dance with me.” Lola looked at her the same way Maisie had, like she was crazy. “Take off your shoes. Come on, dance with me, take off your shoes.” Mary encouraged her ladies so they all kicked off our shoes and followed her out onto the empty dance floor.
As they grabbed hands and circled together as if playing a game of ring around the rosie, Maisie felt herself letting go, feeling like a carefree child. A girlish giggle left her lips as the larger circle broke and she and Greer grabbed hands, twirling around a few times before she let go and all of the ladies danced freely around their spinning queen. Eventually others joined in with them.
When feathers started falling from overhead, Maisie stopped and looked up. Still, with a smile upon her face she watched a feather float down until Greer sweeped by, making her lose track of it and insead, notice the light blue eyes of Sebastian looking right at her. Butterflies stirred in the pit of her stomach and only picked up speed when he gave her a soft smile.
A yelp slipped from her lips and pulled her out of the moment when Aylee grabbed her hand and Greer grabbed the other, pulling her back into a dancing circle that formed around Mary, who once again twirled, her arms above her head. As soon as the music was done everyone started exiting the ballroom. “Why’s everybody leaving?” Mary asked, slightly out of breath.
“It’s time for the consummation.” Lola answered.
“The ritual, the ceremony, the mystery…aren’t you curious?” Kenna said as she grabbed Mary’s hand and pulled her after everyone else.
“Where are we going?” Maisie asked when they branched off from the people who followed the royal couple into the bedchamber.
“I played in this area often as a child. I know where we can watch without getting caught.” Kenna answered quietly.
“You mean they really watch them…you know?” Aylee asked innocently.
“It’s tradition for royals.” Greer answered.
“Yes, but we’re not allowed." Aylee argued as they came to a stop in a small dark corridor. A curtain hung on the wall.
"Don't you wanna know what you're in for someday?" Kenna asked, wonder and curiosity clear in her voice as she pulled the curtain aside. Kenna always had been the most curious when it came to men. They watched the servants ready Elizabeth for bed before Philip walked in, wearing only a long night shirt.
Elizabeth looked around, nervous about the other eyes in the room watching them. But Philip cupped his hands on each side of her face, making her see only him before they kissed. From the way Elizabeth relaxed it was clear she'd already forgotten everyone else but him. They watched until long after Philip had laid her back on the bed doing things that pulled sighs and moans from both of them as everyone watched their silhouettes move in time as one. "We should go." Aylee spoke up, pulling the rest of them from their thoughts before they followed Aylee out of the corridor and into the hallway.
"Split up." Mary whispered so they all went in different directions.
Maisie had found her way back to the ballroom, hoping to snag one of the berry tartlets she'd spotted before. Unfortunately the tray was now empty. "Drat." She sighed to herself.
"Worked up an appetite, have you?" The voice of Sebastian came from behind her and a smile took over her lips before she wiped it off her face and turned around. "What with all that dancing."
"I may have." She answered and as a server walked by Sebastian took a pomegranate tart off the tray and held it out to her. "Thank you, Bash."
"You're welcome, Maisie." He told her with a soft smile as he watched her take a bite of the tart.
"Is it safe to assume you remember me?" Maisie asked. "Or have you simply familiarized yourself with the names of Mary's ladies?"
"I remember you." He told her with a twinkle in his eyes. "A boy never forgets his childhood love."
A blush colored her cheeks as she laughed. "Childhood love huh?"
"I did vow to marry you one day." He pointed out.
"Actually you wished it, on a shooting star, when I was seven." She corrected him.
"I was sure you would have forgotten about that and me." He said with a look of wonder in his eyes.
"A girl never forgets her childhood love." She answered with a blush and a shy smile.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" He asked as he held out his hand.
"I'd love to." She answered as she took his offered hand.
They made their way outside into the cool night air. "So how does it feel, being back at court?" Bash asked.
"Nostalgic." She answered. "It has me remembering things I'd forgotten about."
"Like what?" Bash asked as they walked along the sidewalk.
"Like how we climbed that tree over there. My bare foot slipped off the limb and I got a huge splinter." She said with a point to the large tree in the distance.
"I remember that. I brought you to my mother and she got the splinter out." Bash added.
"She was so kind to me even though my parents looked down their noses at her." Maisie replied.
"I'm sure they looked down on me too. I'm surprised they even let you play with me." Bash added.
"They didn't look down on you." Maisie replied, earning an interested look from him. "If anything I think they pitied you a bit. They said you couldn't help the situation you were born into."
"I know for sure your father didn't like me." He argued.
"I think that may have had more to do with the fact that you were sweet on his daughter." Maisie told him with a pointed look.
Bash laughed "You're probably right. How are they, your parents?"
Maisie's eyes fell. "They passed away, not long after we moved back to Scotland. Our house caught fire, my brothers and I made it out, they didn't."
"I'm so sorry." Bash said as he rubbed her hand in his with his thumb.
"It's fine." She answered as she steered them over to the stone half wall of the pathway they'd been walking and let go of Bash's hand to place hers on the wall, looking out at the lake. "My uncle, father's brother, took us in. He and my aunt had no children of their own." A comfortable silence settled over them. Eventually Maisie's eyes moved from the lake to Bash's hands that rested on the stone wall beside hers. A small smile stretched her lips as she turned toward him, rested her hip on the wall and held her right hand out to him. He took it and slipped his pointer finger over a small scar on the fatty part of her palm between her thumb and wrist. "Do you still have yours?" She asked.
He held his left hand out to her, showing her the scar on the same part of his hand. She pressed her palm to his, like they had when their scars were fresh, bleeding cuts, inflicted by the sharp blade of Bash's hunting knife. "I know it's none of my business but I have to know-"
"There's no one else." She answered knowing what he was about to ask because she was dying to know the same. The worry on his face eased. "Never has been, though the people back home would give you a different answer."
"What does that mean?" He asked with curious wide eyes.
She laughed. "There's this boy, Keelan, we're best friends, nothing more, but we let people think there was more to protect him from gossip." She explained. "We figured out when we were fourteen that he prefers boys. If people found out it wouldn't be good for him. So since I had no interest in other boys and he had no interest in girls, we used our friendship to protect him." She looked away from their hands and into his eyes. "What about you? Is the gossip true?"
"Depends, what's the gossip say about me?" He asked, looking amused.
"I think the words Aylee used were "He has a terrible reputation with women." Though I didn't get any specifics and I don't know her source." Maisie answered.
"There have been others." He answered. Her shoulders and heart fell. She tried to take her hand off his but he slipped his fingers between hers and closed them. "They meant nothing to me."
"Any man can say that." She whispered, her eyes on their hands. His gripping her relaxed one.
"I mean it." Bash assured her. "Give me a chance to prove it?"
She took her time thinking about it. He could have lied about his past, but he owned up to it. She wasn't stupid. Girls were pressured to safeguard their virtue while boys weren't considered men if they were still virgins at a certain age. After the promises they'd made as children and nine years of saving herself for Bash she owed it to both of them to give him a chance. So she closed her fingers, holding his hand. "Don't make me regret it."
"I wouldn't dare. Especially if you can still throw that punch I taught you." He replied and she laughed. “Not only did you bloody your knuckles but my nose as well.”
“I only did what you told me to.” Maisie said defensively. “And you healed just fine. I can’t say the same for the poor boy back home. His nose is still a bit crooked.”
“And what offense landed him on the receiving end of your dainty, and clearly still powerful, fist?” Bash asked.
“He thought it would be a good idea to grab my backside.” she answered. “It was like an instinct I didn’t know I had. I turned and punched before I'd even fully registered what had happened. I got in so much trouble for that.”
“You got in trouble?” Bash asked with a frown. “He was the one in the wrong.”
“It’s not proper for a Lady to know how to throw a punch.” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“Every woman should know how to defend themselves, titled or otherwise.” Bash argued.
“I agree with you.” Maisie said with a smirk. “And I have you to thank for not just that moment of self defense but several others over the years. So, thank you.”
Bash gave her a soft smile. “You’re welcome.”
"I should probably turn in for the night." Maisie pointed out realizing it had gotten late.
"Then I'll bid you goodnight like a gentleman." He told her as he moved her hand around in his, brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it.
She closed the space between them, stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss to his stubbly cheek. "Goodnight, Bash."
Fandom: Reign (2013). Pairing: BashxOc. Setting: French Royal Court. Warnings: None for now. The Bastards Masterlist
"Maisie," Greer said as she gently shook her friend's shoulder. "Maisie, wake up." The urgency in her voice caused Maisie to finally wake and sit up in bed.
"What's wrong?" Maisie asked as she rubbed her eyes with the tips of her fingers.
"There's been an incident. Mary needs us." Greer answered as Maisie grabbed a plain white shawl and put it around her shoulders. They left Maisie's room and headed to Mary's.
"Is she okay?" Maisie asked, her bare feet slapping against the floor tiles as they rushed down the hallway.
"I don't know. Lola and Kenna woke me and I came for you. They should be with her now." Greer answered before they came to Mary's room and rushed inside.
Mary sat on her bed in her gown. She and Lola both had tear stained faces while Kenna and Aylee looked like they didn't know what to do. "Mary, Lola, are you alright?" Maisie asked as she sat down on the bed and grabbed Mary's hand as she looked at Lola.
"Yes, just…rattled." Mary answered.
"What happened?" Greer asked behind Maisie.
Kenna touched Maisie's shoulder and when she looked at her she motioned for her to follow her. She pulled Greer and Maisie aside then spoke in hushed tones. "Colin snuck into her room." Maisie's eyes went wide as they slipped over to Lola. "She said she was woken by the blankets getting jerked off of her. Collin was straddling her legs with his belt undone."
"Dear Lord." Greer gasped.
Maisie couldn't speak and simply placed her fingertips over her lips, unable to take her eyes off of Lola. Greer and Kenna went back to Mary. This was bad. Maisie had never met Colin. She didn't know what kind of person he was, but surely Lola wouldn't fall for the kind of boy, soon to be man, that would treat a woman like he had treated Mary. There had to be an explanation. Not knowing what else to do she went to her two distraught friends and grabbed Lola's hand as she set her hand on Mary's shoulder.
Soon, servants were sent to get Mary dressed and ready to speak to The King and Queen. With her gone, in a meeting her ladies weren't allowed to attend, they went back to their rooms to get dressed for the day. Once Maisie had dressed in a dark blue strapless dress, a matching lace shrug and had tamed her waves, weighing them down with a silver head chain, she met the others in Mary's room.
"How did this happen?" Maisie asked, racking her brain for a reasonable answer as to why Lola's love would betray her so deeply while also endangering himself.
"Where were her guards? Why didn't they stop him?" Aylee asked Maisie's unspoken question.
"I hope Mary did if they didn't." Greer added. They were just thinking out loud, but Maisie knew how it all must have sounded to Lola. "They'll question her virtue. If she's not a virgin then she'll never be the queen of France and our chances at court will be over."
"You don't know what happened. Any of you." Lola spoke up.
"Then tell me." Mary said as she stepped into the doorway.
"I've spoken to him. He's being held. I bribed a guard." Lola answered before she looked up at Mary with tears in her eyes. "Colin's a good man…a boy still."
"And what did he say?" Mary interrupted. "What possible defense could he have given you?"
"He said he was forced." Lola answered, clutching her shawl in her fist. "He wouldn't say by whom. He couldn't, he was so afraid. But he said there are people, powerful people, behind this and that he had no choice."
"What people?" Kenna asked, looking from Mary to Lola.
"Here, in the castle. He wouldn't risk saying more." Lola answered.
They were all quiet for a moment before Aylee asked, "Do you believe her, Mary?"
Mary thought about it as she took a step closer. "He looked so surprised that I would fight back…that I would even wake." Mary thought out loud.
"That you would wake? He attacked you." Kenna asked.
Mary looked to be in deep contemplation before her expression changed. "The wine." They all just looked at her, not understanding. "I was told not to drink the wine, I was warned."
"Warned by who?" Lola asked.
"It doesn't matter now." Mary said with a shake of her head. "I believe you. I believe Colin."
"Please help him." Lola pleaded, fresh tears brimming her eyes.
"I'll do what I can." Mary replied.
RRRRRRRRRR
The ladies stayed with Lola in Mary's chambers until she returned and told them that Colin had been beheaded. "There was nothing I could do. I was too late." Mary said with unshed tears in her eyes.
"He wasn't a traitor. He wasn't a rapist." Lola said, now with tears pouring from her eyes.
"They said he was involved in an English plot. I don't know who to believe or to trust I…" Mary's voice broke as she shook her head. "I'm so sorry Lola."
"You're the reason he's dead!" Lola snapped as she stood up. "Anyone who's close to you lives in constant danger. We're disposable, all of us." She practically shouted as she looked around.
Mary shook her head. "No, you're not. I need you, you're my friends."
"Kenna's my friend." Lola replied. "Maisie, Greer and Aylee are my friends. You are my queen and we are your subjects. We're here in service to you. Whatever that means. Whatever it costs us."
"I will protect you." Mary tried.
"You can't even protect yourself!" Lola snapped.
"I'll do better." Mary's voice broke. "I promise."
Lola just sat down on the bench beside Aylee and Greer. As soon as she took her eyes off Mary her anger faded and she fell into Aylee's arms. Maisie's heart broke for both of her friends. If broke for Mary for not only almost getting raped, but because of the aftermath of the attack on her that she had no control over. And it broke for Lola because the target that's always going to be on Mary's back caused her to lose the man she loved. She wanted to go with Mary and assure her that she doesn't blame her like Lola does, but she couldn't help kneeling next to Lola and embracing her with the rest of her close friends.
When Maisie picked her head up from where it rested on Lola's shoulder she saw Bash standing outside the door with Mary. Her dog Sterling on a leash in Bash's hand that he held out to Mary. She took it before he bowed his head to Mary then turned, looking into the room just long enough to meet Maisie's eyes and give her a small, almost unnoticeable nod as well. Maisie managed to pull one side of her lips up into a pitiful excuse of a smile before Bash turned and walked away. After Mary had taken a moment to gather herself, aided by Sterling's relaxing presence, she returned and asked her ladies to give her a moment alone with Lola.
The others returned to their rooms, but Maisie wanted fresh air. So she decided to go for a walk in the gardens. They were very maze-like with tall flower bushes and offered both fresh air and privacy. She was about to walk through the arching entrance when Bash's voice called out. "Lady Maisie." She looked around and found him walking up the sidewalk a few feet away from her, coming from the opposite direction. "May I join you?"
She thought about it for a moment. "Sure." With that bright smile of his he offered his hand. So she placed her hand in his, but kept space between them as they started walking the garden pathway.
After a minute of walking in comfortable silence he broke it. "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry your friend had to go through that."
"I have two friends who've endured horrible things. To which are you referring?" She asked as she stopped to touch one of the beautiful white gardenia's.
"Mary." He answered. "Frances said a boy snuck into her bed and…attacked her. He was peeved that she had the audacity to want to talk to her assailant."
Maisie turned from the flowers to look at him with a deep crease between her auburn brows and he took a step back. "The audacity? Her assailant was an innocent boy whose hand was forced by others more powerful than him. He shouldn't have lost his head for it. I did not know him myself but I do know Lola and I know she would not place her heart in the hands of someone unworthy of it."
"I apologize." Bash said, holding his hands out defensively. "I didn't mean to offend. I only knew what my brother told me."
Her shoulders fell as she heaved out a breath. "No, I apologize. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that." Aggravated, she plucked a waxy leaf off the bush just to have something to do with her hands.
"So Mary was attacked and Lola lost her love to a beheading." He summed up as they started walking again. "You said his hand was forced by others more powerful than him?"
"Mary was told by the king and queen that Colin was part of an English plot. However Colin said he was forced by someone here, highly placed. He was too scared to say who." Maisie explained.
"The two explanations could be one and the same. The English are always present and hold high positions." Bash explained.
"I just…I don't understand why he was beheaded so quickly. Wouldn't they have wanted to question him, find out more about this supposed English plot?" Maisie asked. "It almost makes me think someone with the authority to make such calls wanted to silence him."
"The only people with authority like that are the king and queen." Bash replied. "I can't see why either of them would want him silenced."
When they came to a stone bench in the center of the garden Maisie walked over and sat down. When Bash sat down next to her she pulled her knee up onto the bench and faced him. "Pieces of this puzzle aren't fitting together."
"Then perhaps you should take a step back for a moment." Bash suggested. "Think about something else."
"Like what?" Maisie asked, putting her hands in her lap.
"Well, we could get to know one another again." He answered. "Do you still like horses?"
"I do. I actually tried to convince my uncle to let me bring my horse here with me, but he said once I was here I wouldn't have time for her." She answered with sadness in her eyes.
"Do you have any plans for the rest of your day?" Bash asked and she shook her head no. So he stood and held his hand out to her. "Come with me."
She took his hand and stood up. "Where are we going?" She asked as they made their way out of the garden.
"You'll see." He answered with a smirk and a sparkle in his eyes.
After walking in comfortable silence for a moment the stables came into view. "I should have guessed." She said with a smile on her face as he led her to a stall containing a buckskin Morgan horse.
Maisie watched as Bash opened the stall, clasped a lead rope on its bridle and led it out. "Oh she's beautiful." Maisie complimented as she held her hand out for the horse to smell.
Bash watched with a smile on his face as Maisie started petting the horse's neck. "Would you like to ride her?"
"That depends." Maisie answered then moved to stand in front of the horse and looked it in the eye. "What do you think, Pretty Girl, wanna go for a ride, stretch your legs a bit?" The horse whinnied and twitched its ears. Maisie looked at Bash with a smile. "I think we'd both love to."
RRRRRRRRRR
After riding for a while they stopped at a lake to let their horses rest and drink. While the horses grazed Maisie and Bash sat under a tree on an extra saddle blanket he had thought to bring with them, drinking their own water from a canteen. "So, what’s her name?" Maisie asked as she watched the golden horse that roamed alongside Bash's dapple gray stallion.
"She doesn't have one." Bash answered, getting a curious frown from Maisie. "I believe a horse should be named by their owner."
"Are you not her owner?" Maisie asked with a confused shake of her head.
"I think you should name her." He replied not directly answering her question.
"But you just said that-" she cut herself off when he gave her a bright smile and she realized what he was telling her. "She's mine?" She asked with a lift of her brows.
"I bought her the day I learned you were returning." Bash answered. "So, what will you name her?"
Maisie stood and called the horse over with a few clicks of her tongue. She watched the bright, almost glittering gold horse, with its black mane, tail and legs, trot over to her. Thinking, Maisie petted the sweaty horse, Bash walked over to them. "Hemera." Maisie finally answered.
"The Greek goddess of the day." Bash said with an approving nod. "An appropriate choice."
Maisie turned from Hemera to Bash who was standing behind her. "Bash… She's perfect, but…what if I hadn't kept my promise? What if I came here as a married woman? Or if I no longer liked horses?"
“Then she would have been a late wedding present from your childhood friend." Bash answered. "And I watched you as a child, tending to the horses, how just being around them relaxed you. An affinity like that doesn't disappear with time."
Maisie blinked back tears as a smile formed on her lips and she grabbed his hand. "Thank you, Bash, truly."
"You're most welcome." He replied as he brushed a lock of hair out of her face then brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. Her eyes slipped closed at the intimate touch. As soon as they opened and met his, he leaned down and caught her top lip between his. The action sent tingles coursing through every inch of her, stealing her breath. Her hands took on a mind of their own and moved to hold the sides of his warm, soft neck.
Bash had her chasing him when he pulled back, retreating when he pressed in. She was completely lost to the world and anything that wasn’t him…his lips…his hands…his warmth. Eventually he moved one hand back to her cheek as the kiss slowed then broke. They pressed their foreheads together as their eyes opened and met.
"I've wanted to do that since the moment I saw you yesterday." Maisie admitted.
"Me too." Bash replied and Maisie smiled as she lifted her head.
"What are the chances of us being seen out here?" She asked, knowing it wouldn't be good if they were caught.
"Unlikely." He answered so Maisie took his hand and led him back over to the blanket. "What would you say if I asked to officially court you?" He asked as they both sat down, their shoulders touching.
"Isn't that what you're doing now?" She asked as she picked up the canteen then took a drink.
He chuckled. "Yes, but I meant publicly. So everyone knows."
"Is there a reason I wouldn't want people to know?" She asked with a confused shake of her head.
"I can think of two." He answered. "You've only been at court for two days, it's a bit soon. The more glaringly obvious reason is you're titled. You should be counting men who-"
He was cut off by her hand over his mouth. "I don't care about titles or wealth. I never have." She uncovered his mouth and he gave her a sad blink.
"I'm a bastard, I-"
"So am I." She interrupted. "Not that anyone knows, not for sure anyway. If they did I'd lose everything. My dowry, my title." She dropped her eyes to her hands. "Not even my friends know."
"You're brothers always called you their bastard sister." Bash recalled. "Because you didn't look like them."
"I look like my uncle." She replied. "The one who raised my siblings and I. Everyone thinks that since he's my father's brother, red hair and brown eyes run in the family. That's not entirely true." She kept her eyes on her hands, not able to make herself look up. "Turns out there's a hidden history of bastards in my family. My uncle got his red hair from his father who was not my father's father."
"Your uncle is your biological father." Bash finished and she nodded. "How do you know for sure?"
"When I was thirteen my uncle found me hiding in the barn, crying after yet another bout of my brothers taunting me. He told me the truth.” she looked up at Bash to see him listening intently. “He and my mother, in a moment of weakness, gave in to the feelings they’d tried for years to ignore. He said my father knew that I wasn't his child but claimed me as his own to shield me from the life I'd have if people knew.”
“And what of your brothers? Did they ever learn the truth?” Bash asked with a frown, knowing how mean they were to her before.
“No, but I’m sure when my uncle had them flogged for pushing me to the point of tears it only furthered their suspicion. That along with the fact that, even though he tried not to, my uncle favored me. After the flogging they never called me a bastard again so it was probably a mixed blessing." She answered, then looked down, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.
"Can't say they didn't deserve it." Bash replied and when she didn't look up he hooked his pointer finger under her chin and lifted it. "This doesn't change anything. You’re still a titled woman."
"But it does." She argued as she grabbed his hand in both of hers. "Growing up, knowing everything could be taken from me at any moment changed how I view things…my needs when it comes to the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with.”
“How so?” Bash asked with a curious cock of his head.
“I don’t need a rich man who will plow me with gifts and shiny things for me to wave in the faces of other women and make them green with envy. That seems to be how other women find happiness, but I find it hollow and pointless.” she explained with a shake of her head. “I don’t need someone who’s going to sit down and haggle with my uncle over what prizes my hand in marriage will win him. I just need someone who will love me. Not my dowry, not my title…but me. I need someone I know will stay by my side, no matter my station. And my uncle, because he favors me, has granted me permission to marry for love.”
"Then it's a good thing I don't want you for your dowry." He replied, making a sad smile grace her face.
"So to answer your original question, I would say I'd love for you to publicly court me." She said as she looked down at his hand in hers. “To hell with what people think.”
"Good." He answered and she looked up at him with a small smile. "You're dancing last night caught the attention of more than a few men. Understandably so. You're an exquisite beauty with a smile that would light up the darkest of rooms." His compliment made her cheeks warm with a blush. "I doubt me courting you will dissuade them, but it's worth a try."
“Eh, if they try anything I’ll punch ‘em.” she said with a wrinkle of her nose as she held up her fist making Bash laugh as he grabbed her hand. "I only hope I'm enough of an exquisite beauty," she mimicked his compliment sarcastically, "to dissuade all the ladies at court who eye you like a tasty treat. Not that I blame them, you are mouth wateringly gorgeous." Bash laughed at her not so elegantly worded compliment with a slight blush of his own. She leaned into him, glancing down at his thin yet perfect lips before looking into his eyes. He took the hint and caught her top lip between his.
Just like before they got lost in one another. When she felt his tongue brush over her lip she instinctively let him in. The new sensation, his tongue slipping over hers pulled a sound she'd never made before, a higher pitched moan, from the back of her throat. Bash's lower pitched moan echoed hers, only intensifying the feeling pulsing within her.
The whinny of a horse sounded out right beside their heads. Maisie yelped and jumped away, breaking the kiss they'd been lost in.
Bash burst out laughing at the sight of Maisie holding her chest, shooting her horse a dirty look. His horse strode over and blew at them. "I think they're trying to tell us something."
"That we should slow down or that they're ready to head home?" She asked as she dropped her hand from her chest.
"Both probably." Bash answered as Hemera backed up.
Maisie reached up and rested her hand on Bash's thin brown shirt covered chest. "You know that no matter how easy it is to get lost in you that I can't go too far, right?"
"I know." Bash answered as he placed his hand over hers. "One of these days, if all goes accordingly, you will be my wife. Until then I will be perfectly satisfied with kisses that lead nowhere."
"You're too good to me." She said with a smile.
"I want to be good because of you." He pointed out as he stood then held his hand out to her. She took it and let him help her to her feet. She picked up the canteen then stepped off of the blanket so Bash could roll it back up.
By the time he'd strapped the blanket back onto his horse Maisie had already mounted hers. She took a drink from the canteen then capped it and handed it to him. He tucked it into his saddle bag then mounted his horse. As they rode back to the castle he observed her, the way her auburn hair flew behind her, the content look on her face, how she moved perfectly in time with Hemera as if she'd been riding her all her life. When the castle came into sight they slowed their horses to a walk. Maisie patted Hemera on the neck. "Bash, I can't thank you enough for this."
"It's nothing, truly. I bought her from a friend, he made me a good deal." He brushed it off.
"I wasn't just talking about Hemera." She told him. "You got me away, cleared my head."
"You can thank me by saving a dance for me at the party that's going to be thrown for Prince Charles and his future bride tomorrow night." He told her as they rode into the stables.
RRRRRRRRRR
"Where did you disappear to?" Kenna, who was leaving her chambers as Maisie walked past on the way to hers, asked. "And why do you stink?" She asked as she covered her nose with the backs of her fingers.
"I went for a ride." Maisie answered nonchalantly. Kenna narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously. "With Sebastian."
"What?" Kenna's eyes went wide as she smiled. "The king's bastard Sebastian?"
"Yes and can't you just call him the king's son?" Maisie asked with a frown.
"Sorry, I forget you despise the word." Kenna apologized. "But why were you with Bash? What happened to finding the boy you promised your heart to?" Maisie just smiled then bit her bottom lip. After a second Maisie saw the bell go off in Kenna's head as her eyes grew big. "That boy was Bash?"
"Yes." Maisie answered.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Kenna asked in a scolding tone.
"I didn't think it mattered." Maisie shrugged.
"Well it does. Does he still have feelings for you?" Kenna asked excitedly.
"He bought me a horse, so I'd say so." Maisie answered with a blush.
"A horse?" Kenna asked, unamused. "Oh, yes, I forget you strangely like the smelly creatures." Maisie just smiled. "Seriously, get the servants to draw you a bath you reek." Kenna told her pointedly as she walked away.
RRRRRRRRRR
"Lady Aylee, Lady Maisie, Lady Kenna and Greer of Kinross, Your Grace." Mary's servant announced the ladies with a bow as they walked into her chambers.
"Thank you, Sara." Mary replied then looked at them.
"You slept there while Lola slept in your bed?" Kenna asked.
"We were talking about what happened with Colin. She fell asleep crying." Mary answered. "I feel for her and for Colin." Mary looked over her shoulder at Lola sleeping soundly. "Let's let her sleep." The ladies followed Mary out onto the private balcony where several tables held food. Maisie grabbed an apple and a piece of cheese. “The French king and queen said that Colin’s attack on me was an English plot, but Colin told Lola it was someone here, highly placed at French court. All I know is it had to be someone opposed to Scotland’s alliance with France or my engagement to Francis…” Mary stared out of the open windows of the balcony in thought for a moment. “England wants my country and my crown. I need the alliance with France to protect Scotland from the English and I need time. Before there is any chance of Francis marrying me.” They all just looked at her in thought. “I won’t have time if I don’t figure out who’s against me.”
Lola walked in, joining them for breakfast. “Someone please tell me what’s on the agenda for today. I need a distraction.” she said as she took fresh fruit from the table.
“Today we are to accompany Mary to the throne room. Little Charles will be meeting his future bride. Much like Mary and Francis when they were children.” Maisie answered.
“Isn’t there supposed to be a party for them tonight?” Kenna asked.
“Yes and it sounds like a good distraction to me.” Maisie told Lola. “Maybe some spirits will lift your spirits.”
“That was cheesy.” Lola told her with a little smirk and roll of her eyes while the others laughed at them.
“Yes, but it made you smile all the same.” Maisie argued.
After they finished their breakfast they all got dressed and headed down to the throne room where the king and queen, little Charles, Francis, Bash and a few other advisers and such stood. “Let’s agree it’s a brilliant match. Madiline’s french so there’s no question of her family's loyalty and they’re very wealthy.”
“But not royal. So they’re hungry for power.” The king argued.
“They’ll pay for it.” The queen argued back and Maisie noticed Mary and Francis exchanging a look, making her smirk to herself.
“It's only right to accept the support of one’s loyal subjects.” the king agreed.
Catherine gasped as she looked down at her son. “And she has a giraffe! Madeline is widely traveled. She’s come from far away, by ship.”
“Do I get a giraffe too?” Charles asked in his polite little voice.
“The moment she becomes your bride.” Catherine answered.
“Francis.” the king started, “To show our respect, I want you to accompany your little brother to the landing.”
Charles turned and looked at his father. “Can Bash come as well?”
Maisie noticed that Bash gave his little half brother a small smile. “Charly!” Catherine snapped, making him look at her. “You know that Bash isn’t really your brother. He’s just your fathers son. His presence is disrespectful.” Bash gave Francis a ‘wow, really?’ look while Maisie shot Catherine a dirty look then remembered her place and turned her eyes to the floor.
“The girl's parents were enjoying Morocco so they sent her on alone.” The king added, shutting Catherine up.
“Apparently she was more afraid of meeting her future husband than of pirates.” Catherine laughed as she pulled Charles in for a hug. “Well, that’s to be expected at age seven. She’ll get in line.” She turned her eyes to Mary. “We all do.”
“Perhaps I can go with Francis.” Mary spoke up. “I came here too when I was a child. Perhaps I can reassure her.”
“It’s several hours journey.” the king warned.
“Well, we’ll take food and treats. I don’t mind, really.” Mary said with a shrug.
“On second thought, why don’t we greet the girl here?” Catherine spoke up, making Maisie frown a little. “We don’t know, the journey might not be safe.” Why didn’t she want Mary to go?
“They’ll stay on the king's road. A dozen well armed guards will keep any bandits away.” The king argued then took a deep breath. “Prepare a carriage for Mary, the queen of Scotland.” he told one of his people as he turned and walked away, officially dismissing everyone. As Bash walked out with Francis he glanced at Maisie with a small smile.
RRRRRRRR
“What happened?” Maisie asked Mary as she walked over to her ladies who stood outside to greet them when they returned from the landing. Along with Madeline and her attendants came many Englishman.
“Madeline’s ship was in distress, the English saw and helped, so they will be staying here for a time, to recover before they head back out.” she answered, sounding strong, but fear could be seen in her eyes.
Later that night Maisie noticed that many of the men at the party were English and it made Mary and her ladies feel very intimidated, though Mary did a good job of hiding it.
“You look rather pretty this evening.” Kenna said, looking Maisie up and down from where she stood next to her along with Aylee, Lola and Greer. “Are you trying to impress someone special?”
“Possibly.” Maisie answered.
“Who?" Aylee asked curiously.
"Sebastian." Kenna sing songed.
"The king's bastard?" Lola asked, making Maisie cringe.
"He has a terrible reputation with women." Aylee added. "They say he knows no bounds. You can't possibly think he wants anything more than to ruin you."
Maisie glared at Aylee. Greer knew by the flare of her nostrils that when Maisie opened her mouth something she might possibly regret was about to come out. So she interrupted, "I think what Aylee means to say is you need to tread lightly."
"We don't want you to get hurt." Lola added.
A server walked by with a tray of wine and offered them all one. Maisie took one while the others waved him off.
“Who is Mary talking to?” Greer asked, making them all look at Mary talking to a tall dark haired man in a black collared jacket with fancy embroidery around the collar and down the front.
“That’s the English envoy, Simon.” Lola answered.
They could tell something was off by the way Mary’s body stiffened, but before one of them could intervene, Francis did. After a short conversation Francis stepped back and held his hand out to Mary. The musicians, seeing them walking out on the floor, started playing music. Not long after, Bash walked over and held his hand out to Maisie. “May I have this dance?”
Deciding to play with him Maisie looked down at his hand, pretending to really think about it, biting her lips closed with a squint of her eyes before she looked up at his face that was starting to look like he thought she was going to say no. But she placed her hand in his, “You may.”
“Was it really such a hard decision to make?” he asked, looking a little concerned as they danced.
She let a smile pull at her lips. “No.” he looked relieved by her answer.
"I-" he twirled her, causing her to crash into his chest, "am going to make you pay for that." He said with a playful look in his eyes.
"Really? When?" She asked with a look up at him through her lashes.
"How about tonight?" He asked. "Since the guests of honor are children the party will end soon. After Mary retires, meet me in the center of the garden."
"I'll be there." They shared a smile as the song came to an end. She and Bash bowed to one another then he walked away and she headed back to her friends.
Eventually the two children went to bed and not much later Mary and Aylee followed telling them to stay and enjoy the rest of the party. While her friends scattered and started mingling Maisie hung back, pretending to people watch when really she was keeping a discreet eye on Bash. When she saw him leave she waited a while, made sure no one was paying her any attention then left the party herself.
When she found Bash he was sitting on a blanket he'd spread out on the ground right next to some gardenia bushes. The nice jacket he'd worn at the party along with his sword laid on the bench. A lantern sat on the corner of the blanket along with a bottle of wine and two cups. Neither of them said a word as she walked over and sat down beside him. He poured a cup and handed it to her then poured himself one. After a moment she unsnapped the broach holding her moss green lace wrap in place and took it off. It got set aside as she took a drink, set the cup aside, leaned her head back and took in a deep breath.
"You still like gardenias I see." He said with a smile in his voice.
"And I still hate lavender. The blue of your eyes is still my favorite color. Light moss green was yours. Is it still?" She asked as she dropped her head to look at him.
"It is." He answered, taking in the strapless, moss green bodice of her dress. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Bash spoke. "You looked upset earlier. Is everything okay?"
"Aylee was just being her usual judgmental self." Maisie shrugged.
"How so?" Bash asked.
"She said you couldn't possibly want anything more than to ruin me." Maisie answered. "They don't know you like I do…or, did. I have to keep reminding myself that even though it somehow doesn't feel like it, we have spent nine years apart."
"Which is why I don't mind taking our time, getting to know one another again." He replied as he slipped his hand over hers.
"That seems so hard to do when all I can think about is kissing you again." She admitted with a blush.
"Then perhaps you should kiss me." He told her with a smile in his eyes. "That is, after all, one form of getting to know one another."
"Honestly I'm afraid I won't be able to stop." She replied with a look down at the cup in her hand. "It's so easy to get caught up you."
"I won't let you go too far." He argued.
Maisie looked up at him with a slight frown, "Are you not as easily caught up in me?"
"That's not what I meant." He answered with a small smile as he flipped her hand over and started lightly running his fingertips over her palm. The light touches sent tingles up her arm that clouded her mind. "Of course I get caught up in you. Your kiss, your touch…"
"You have got to stop that." Maisie said with a blink at him.
"Stop what?" He asked.
Her hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, stopping his fingers from brushing her palm. "That. It's…titillating." She answered then let go of his wrist. His eyes grew dark as he placed his fingertips on the side of her wrist and slid them up her arm, over her shoulder. A sigh left her parted lips as her eyes slipped closed. "Must you tempt me so?" She asked quietly.
"I told you I'd make you pay." Bash replied, making her open her eyes and meet his.
"I see the currency has changed since we were children." She said with a smile and a look at him through her lashes as he threaded his fingers into her hair behind her ear.
"If you'd prefer I tickle you-" he was cut off when she caught his bottom lip between hers. He chuckled into the kiss before her hands slipped up his chest to hold the sides of his neck, pulling a sigh from him. After a long while he laid her back on the blanket hovering over her from the side as his hand slipped from her hair, over her chest and side to hold her hip.
A shaky breath left her lips as he trailed kisses down her neck to the cleavage exposed by the deep sweetheart neckline of her corseted bodice. Her hands held his sides over the gold tunic he wore. He kissed his way back to her lips before the kisses slowed and he pulled back to look into her eyes.
She took one of her hands from his side to fruitlessly brush his hair back before resting her hand on his cheek. His eyes grew dark right before he wiggled his thumb over her hip bone pulling a yelp, followed by a giggle from her. "Bash." She laughed as he kept up his attack on her most ticklish spot.
She grabbed his sides and tried to tickle him back, but two layers of clothing protected him. He chuckled at her attempt. "Nice try." He stopped tickling her and moved to lay on his side beside her.
She took his hand in hers and pressed their palms together. "I could easily stay out here with you until sunrise."
"But you must turn in for the night." Bash said, sounding disappointed.
"Unfortunately." She answered in a sigh.
"Then I guess," Bash sat up then stood and held his hand out to her. She took it and let him pull her to her feet, "I must bid you goodnight."
She picked up her shawl and put it back around her shoulders then moved the lantern off the blanket and picked it up. She started to fold it but he took it from her.
"I'll tend to this." He tossed the blanket back on the ground then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her hands rested on each side of his neck as he dipped his head and captured her lips with his. She pulled a quiet hum from him when she grazed his bottom lip with her tongue. He broke the kiss before it got too heated. "Now who's tempting whom?" She just bit her smiling lips closed as she gazed up at him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Bash." She replied then tried to step back, but his arm was locked around her waist. She laughed, "You know you actually have to let go, for me to leave, right?"
He heaved out a heavy sigh. "If I must." She just smiled and shook her head as he dropped his arm and she took a few steps back before she turned and walked away.
RRRRRRRRRR
“Colin’s alive?” Mary asked where she stood in her chambers, talking to the king and queen while her ladies sat on a padded bench seat behind her. Maisie saw the hopeful look in Lola’s eyes, but even though he was alive she had no hope that the two of them would ever be able to be together. Colin was guilty of trying to destroy Mary’s virtue. If he didn’t lose his head he’d probably end up somewhere that made him wish he had.
“Alive and escaped, I'm afraid.” King Henry answered Mary.
“He had help.” Queen Catherine added.
“Who?” Mary asked.
“Perhaps the English.” King Henry replied.
“But the attack, the execution, it all happened before they arrived.” Mary pointed out.
“They’re always here, my dear.” Catherine replied. “Spies and treachery are constant in our world, but you have our protection. The guards are out looking for Colin and he will be found.” That offered the young women little reassurance, Mary was supposed to be under their protection when Colin somehow managed to sneak into her room. “There’s a picnic this afternoon, for Madeline and Charles. But the perimeter will be guarded.” Catherine told them in an upbeat voice as if everything was supposed to be okay since there was a special event happening.
“Perhaps this is a mixed blessing. I’ll have a chance to speak with Colin, once he’s found, to learn how deep the plot against my person runs. You said it yourself, Colin was a mere pawn.” Mary said ignoring Queen Catherine’s mention of the picnic.
“The informants who pointed at the English fled fearing retribution.” Queen Catherine rebutted.
“Have they?” King Henry asked as if this was news to him. He was the king, shouldn’t he be the first to know these things?
“All I ask of you is that you bring him back alive. I need answers and you did regret that he was executed so quickly not knowing my request.” Mary said. The whole time Mary was talking to the king and queen it felt as if Mary was begging, King Henry was being sympathetic and Queen Catherine was just pointing out cold facts.
“Colin is a dangerous fugitive. I cannot, we cannot possibly guarantee that he won’t attack the guards and be harmed or killed” Catherine said, once again stating a fact that offered little reassurance.
“We can promise to try.” King Henry told Mary before they dismissed themselves.
"Mary, may I have a moment?" Maisie asked. Mary gave her a nod so the other ladies left. "Have you ever thought that maybe Catherine was behind Colin's attack on you?"
"Why do you suspect Catherine?" Mary asked with a frown.
"I can't pinpoint why I suspect her. It's more of a feeling than anything." Maisie answered and Mary's shoulders dropped. "Colin was supposedly beheaded before you even had a chance to question him. That gives me the feeling he had information she didn't want you to hear. And Bash said the king and queen are the only people who can make that call. Not only that but you said someone who didn't approve of your engagement to Francis could be behind it. Catherine didn't want you spending time alone with Francis yesterday when you offered to go with them to the landing. Then, just now, we saw her speaking as if she and King Henry were on completely different pages when it comes to Colin. She said the informants fled, and king Henry acted as if he had no knowledge. He offered to do their best to bring Colin back alive and she stresses the fact that she can't promise he'll make it back alive. The pieces of this puzzle don't fit until you take into consideration that Catherine could be the highly placed person that had Colin so scared."
Mary sighed. "I have considered Catherine. Though like you I have no proof. Only a feeling."
"If there is anything I can do, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask. It's what I'm here for." Maisie told her as she reached out and grabbed Mary's hand.
Mary placed her other hand over Maisie's. "Thank you. Your loyalty means more than you know."
RRRRRRRRRR
At the picnic Mary and Francis stood off to themselves watching Charles try to find Madeline. The little boy was blindfolded and standing in the middle of a circle of little girls all calling his name. Aylee, Greer, Lola, Kenna and Maisie stood together watching the amusing sight. “How is Charles supposed to recognize the voice of his true love when she’s so quiet?”
"Well, that's the lesson." Maisie spoke up. "It teaches the girl that if you want to be heard you have to make them listen. And the boy, that if he wants to make and keep her happy he'll have to ignore all other tempting voices."
"Is that so?" Bash's voice came from behind her and she looked over her shoulder at him, watching him walk around to stand in front of her.
"Mhmm." She hummed, her cheeks burning red, Kenna and Lola giggled.
"Good afternoon Ladies." Bash greeted all of Mary's ladies then picked Greer to focus on. "Would you all mind if I stole Lady Maisie for a while?"
"Yes." "No." "Of course not." "Be our guest." Aylee, Lola, Greer and Kenna answered all at once.
Bash looked at Aylee. "You don't much like me do you?"
"Not particularly." Aylee answered.
"You don't even know me." He argued.
"I know of you." Aylee rebutted. "And I think you should move on. My friend can do better than a man of your stature."
"Ah, well,” he started, his tone cheerful and unphased, “fortunately Lady Maisie has a mind of her own and a strong willed one at that. If you were truly her friend you'd know that about her." Bash looked at Maisie and held out his hand. "Shall we?"
Maisie took his hand and started walking with him, not bothering to look back to see her friend's faces. "I'm sorry about Aylee."
"I know she's your friend, but I won't stand for anyone judging you or me for that matter." He told her and she looked up at him with a closed lipped smile of thanks. "So," Bash started as they walked over to a table of food, "did you mean what you said about that little game?"
Maisie grabbed a crescent off the table. "Yes." She answered, keeping her eyes on the bread in her hand as she plucked off a piece.
"You think you have to make me listen and ignore the voices of other women?" He asked as they started walking.
"No, you've always been an amazing listener." She rebutted then popped the piece of bread into her mouth.
"So it's the voices of other women you worry about?" He asked as they came to a stop beside the wall of the walkway above them.
"Not the voices, but the glances. You seem to be doing a good job of ignoring them, but I'm finding it difficult to ignore her." Maisie explained with a subtle nod to a woman and when Bash followed her nod he saw a pretty brunette. She gave him a smile, looked down as she brushed her hair behind her ear then looked back up at him through her lashes. He just looked back at Maisie. "And her and her and-"
"Where? I don't see them." Bash said cutting her off and she just looked up at him and bit her lips closed. "Have you noticed the men looking at you?" She shook her head no. "My point exactly." She let a small smile pull at one side of her lips. "My eyes and ears see and hear only you."
She couldn't help reaching up and resting her hand over his heart. "How did I get so lucky?"
"I find myself asking the same question." He admitted.
They were still standing by the wall chatting when Mary walked over to them. "Maisie, may I have a moment with Bash?"
Under the impression that it wasn't really a question, Maisey gave her a nod. She was on her way over to her friends when King Henry intercepted. “Your Majesty.'' She greeted with a curtsy.
“I see you and Bash are still fast friends.” he observed with a smile and a light hearted look in his eyes. Her blush betrayed her. “Or perhaps, now that you’re older, you’re more than friends.”
“Yes, your grace, we’re courting.” she answered shyly.
“You don’t have to be so polite just because I’m king.” He held his hand out to her and she took it. “If bash has it his way you’ll be my daughter-in-law.” She couldn’t help the nervous sounding laugh that escaped her as he walked her around one of the tents where flowers and flower crowns were being sold. “Did you think I didn't know?”
“Honestly I've been so focused on getting to know him again and all this madness with Mary that I hadn’t thought about it.” Maisie answered. “I knew Diane knew that we were close when we were children.”
“I knew as well.” He replied, happy that she was talking openly with him. “Believe it or not, I care about more than politics. I pay attention to and love all of my children.” he told her as he started looking at the flowers in vases of water. “I wish them all the happiness in the world and now that you’re back, Bash is undeniably so.”
“Does this mean you approve of our courtship?” Maisie asked as she watched the king pluck a pink rose from a vase.
“It means I look forward to the day you become family.” he told her as he held the rose out to her with a good natured smile.
“As do I.” Maisie replied as she took the rose from him with a nod of thanks. He gave her a nod back before he walked away. Seeing that Mary was done talking to Bash she headed back over to him. “What was that about?” she asked curiously.
“Where’d the rose come from?” Bash countered with a look down at the long stemmed rose in her hand.
“You’re father.” she answered nonchalantly.
“Right, well, we’ll talk about that later.” he said looking off put by the idea of his father giving his love a rose. “Mary has asked me to help find Colin.” Maisie gave him a small frown. “Because I know how much you care for your friends and their loved ones, I agreed, but...I fear he's gone into the blood wood."
"Are they as dangerous as they were when we were children?" Maisie asked, concerned for both Colin and Bash.
"Even more so." Bash answered.
"And are you comfortable with going into them?" She asked and he nodded. "Then time is of the essence." She told him then placed her hand on his chest. "Be careful."
"For you, always." He pecked a kiss to the top of her head before he rushed off.
“Somebody’s in love.” Lola sing songed at Maisie light heartedly making Maisie smile.
"Bash is so rude. Why do you continue to accept his flirtations?" Aylee asked.
Maisie glared at her judgmental friend. "I accept his flirtations because he is still as kind and selfless as I remember him being. And I want to know if more pieces of the boy I loved still remain in the man he has grown into." Maisie's eyes softened as she looked at Lola. "Bash is a very skilled tracker. Mary has asked him to help look for Colin and he's agreed. I'm just sorry I didn't think to ask him myself." Lola reached out and rested her hand on Maisie's.
“Bash is the boy you said you’d promised your heart to.” Greer said in realization and Maisie nodded.
After a while the girls split up, mingling with the other ladies at the picnic. Kenna walked over to her, a hard look on her face. “Why were you talking to the king?”
“Because he’s Bash’s father and I’m the woman interested in his son.” Maisie answered skeptically, wondering why Kenna was concerned with who the king chose to talk to.
“Then why did he give you a rose?” she asked, still angry.
“He was just being nice. He told me he looks forward to the day I become his family.” she explained. “Besides, why does it matter? Why are you so angry with me?”
“It’s nothing.” Kenna said looking deflated. “I just thought…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought.”
“Did you think he was flirting with me?” Maisie asked.
“You blushed and he gave you that rose…it just didn’t look good is all.” Kenna said with a shrug.
“He’s handsome, but he’s also the king and the father of the man who’s courting me. I have no interest in him, truly.” Maisie told her with a laugh.
The ladies all met back up and were trying to enjoy the picnic when Mary found them, looking scared. “What’s wrong?” Lola asked.
“There’s been an incident. I returned to my chambers earlier and found a servant, a woman trying on my dress. Before I could even react she started crying, saying that her skin was burning and that the dress had been poisoned. I ran for the guards but by the time we got back the girl and the dress were gone.” Mary replied, her brow creased in worry.
“We’ll see what we can find out.” Kenna offered. Mary grabbed her arm with a thankful look and gave her a nod.
By the time the ladies had finished questioning everyone they could, the sun was close to setting. They found Mary in the main hall talking to Francis and waited for her to get done talking to him. Eventually Mary joined her ladies. “We’ve talked to the last of the servants and the guards.” Aylee started.
“No one posted outside any of our doors or in that corridor saw someone leave your room with a body or a dying girl.” Lola finished.
“And they would have.” Kenna added.
“They must have used the passageway.” Mary thought out loud.
“On an even more troubling note, where were your guards?” Maisie asked with a worried look. “This is the second time they have failed to give you the protection the king and queen promised.”
“I don’t know.” Mary answered with a shake of her head. “Thank you for your help.” she told them then headed to her chambers with Aylee at her side.
“I’m going to turn in for the night.” Greer told her friends.
“Me too.” Lola added, following Greer up the stairs.
“I’m going to let some noblemen best me at chess.” Kenna told Maisie. “Would you like to join me?”
"No, thank you. I think I'll wait for Bash." Maisie replied so she and Kenna went their separate ways.
After grabbing a book to read Maisie took a seat in the main hall and awaited Bash's return. It was getting late and she was about to turn in for the night when Bash came into the main hallway along with two guards who carried a sheet covered body on a plank of wood. As Maisie walked over she noticed the sheet was soaked with blood where his neck would be under the thin cloth. "Oh no…" she gasped and placed her hand on her chest as she tore her eyes off Colin to look up at Bash.
He placed his hand on the small of her back in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm sorry I didn't get to him in time."
Maisie gave him a look that told him she appreciated what he's done all the same. "I think it was a given that he would have died either way. Maybe this was a mixed blessing." Maisie sighed, making Bash give her a curious look. "Lola's been hurt and is going to be hurt again. Now she won't have to sit and wait another moment wondering what his fate will be. At least this way it's done quickly with a sharp blade."
"Perhaps you're right." Bash agreed, understanding what she meant. "You might want to alert Lola and Mary to the news now to make sure Lola has time to say her goodbyes before morning comes and Colin is sent back to Scotland."
Maisie gave him a nod then went to her friends as Bash suggested.
RRRRRRRRRR
Able to see Colin's body, Lola found the closure she was missing the first time she was told he was dead. But while Colin's quick death saved Lola some pain, it cost Mary useful information that would fill in some blanks as to who was truly behind his attack on her.
